BIT OF A "BLOW" IN AT CEFN SIDAN


The glorious Druidstone in West Wales, perched on the cliff edge 70 feet up off the irish Sea. The Druidstone is an amazing hotel and restaurant and well worth a visit if in Pembrokeshire. Note the two Kiwis strolling nonchantly towards the "Dru".

From: "Andrew Parr" arp@evansroach.fsnet.co.uk Subject: TOO WINDY! Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2000 19:52:56 Hello everyone Popped over to Cefn Sidan on Saturday - seriously windy - Force 6 - 8 SW (25 to 35 knots) straight off the sea. Went there to set up my new c5 axles and spent a while doing that before rigging up and heading south. The beach curves east at the southern end and it was only once the wind was slightly from behind that I could get it sheeted in properly. Had a go at the southern circuit from last week but the beach had changed with a lake and three streams from it draining into the river at the southern end. I'd have loved to explore the old harbour in more detail but the problem with a c5 and the full 5 sq m hoisted, is that one tends to be going too damn fast to do any sightseeing! Ended up spending an hour or so thrashing around on the banks of the Loughor - a frenzied dash east followed by the most exhilarating turn at the end - a full 50 yard slide with full opposite lock, executed with varying degrees of success. The odd good 'un was outnumbered by several flambuoyant spinouts, but in all honesty it was a brutal wind and had built up to a full Force 8 when I spied a squall approaching. Managed to get off the beach and derigged by the Cefn Sidan Visitor Centre before it hit, then it was a case of sheltering in the van. I rather fancied a thrash in the "Ludic" but it was not to be as squall after squall came in. In the evening SoC (Mark Lloyd) and his good lady, Jo, were due to check out the "Dru" (Druidstone) as a possible venue for getting wed. Whilst waiting I made myself a new handsteering arrangement, mine having fallen apart earlier in the day, and I was able to cobble together a glorious botch with a broom handle and some breadboard without taking the yacht out of the van. Just finished that when they arrived. Mark had tried to book a table at the "Dru" to no avail, and I tried in vain on Fri night, but a mate rang and asked me to join them so I rang the "Dru" and got a table no problem. Anyway, we had a lovely meal and adjourned to the bar where a bunch of musos were going for it... lovely! Mine Host Rod Bell was in fine form - everyone was - but Jo could hardly stay awake so we sloped off at 1.30 ish, says he not having a clue really, but either way it made for a slow start to today. Mark and Jo went back to the "Dru" to talk business, leaving me to dither between Cefn and Pendine Sands. Eventually decided not to bother on the basis that it was still a full Force 8 SW (40 knots), same as yesterday (Saturday), and would have called for my stormsail - but there's sailing scheduled for Wednesday this week and it would be a shame to bend the yacht now. Also I suspect a mild hangover induced a hint of caution to the decision making process. We did have more rain last week, and it finally made it into the office basement, which opens onto the quay by the river, and caused a soggy doormat but nothing more. Pembrokeshire actually was cut off for a few hours as floods closed all roads east. We didn't get that much rain here on the coast but the boys in the hills took a real pasting with something like eight hours of torrential downpour, which duly headed downhill and filled up the river. Luckily we were on neap tides, but a low of 960 "wotsits" lifted the tide to flood level. Right, time to pop down to "Rod's Diner" (the Druidstone) and wallow in beer. Regards to one and all - will let you know how we get on with our midweek sail in due course. Cheers Andy K445

The rear garden of Rod Bell's lovely "Druidstone". Rod is a keen landsailor and was one of the British team's supporters at PACRIM 2000 in Ivanpah last March.



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